Everton manager David Moyes was quick to condemn Marouane Fellaini’s lethargic performance in his side’s humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

He assured Toffees fans it would never happen again, but sought to remind them the Belgian’s excellent form across the past season.

Incensed

The Goodison faithful were incensed at what was seemed to be alacrity on Fellaini’s part at the state of the game last Saturday as they found themselves three goals down and desperately chasing the game.

He was hauled off after 67 minutes to a chorus of boos from his own fans and stormed off down the tunnel instead of taking up his place on the bench and supporting his team-mates.

Moyes intends to give the midfielder a chance to redeem himself by handing him a starting place against Manchester City in today’s lunchtime kick-off.

Blame

The Scottish boss sought to justify the decision to the Mirror, as well as taking his fair share of the blame for the Wigan debacle.

“His reaction wasn’t right, it wasn’t the correct one and I have told him that.”

“He may have some making up to do to the fans, but I won’t have any trouble picking him. I’ll play Marouane against City because I have to give the club and the team the best chance of winning the game.”

“Don’t forget all the good stuff he’s done. For the most part he’s been outstanding and made a massive contribution.”

“I have taken a lot of the criticism and I accept if you’re the manager you are always going to get the criticism when things go wrong.”

No crisis

With contract talks repeatedly stalling and frenzied criticism of the team in the wake of the cup exit, speculation has been rife over Moyes’ future at the club.

He told the Mirror that the quarter-final loss and it’s poisonous aftermath will not affect in any way his future at Everton.

“The reaction to the defeat won’t influence my contract decision, that will be influenced by where we finish and what myself and the players feel.”

“What I will say though, is we were really poor last week but you don’t see that very often at Everton.

“If you are an Everton fan then you are not seeing a bad brand of football at Goodison – though maybe some think they are.”